[Changes in the lens and cataract surgery in dialyzed patients]

In the course of a 15-year investigation period we recorded among 119 patients with chronic renal failure who had regular dialysation treatment cataract in 17 subjects, i.e. in 14.3%. The authors did not observe during the investigation period changes of refraction nor reversibility of the cataract. Seven patients were operated on one or both eyes, i.e. 5.8%. The paper contains a detailed analysis of surgical complications and aetiopathogenetic reflections on possible causes of dialysation cataracts. In 10 operated eyes the authors achieved very good functional results, the patients survived with good vision on average for 2.25 years. One failure was due to atrophy of the disc of the optic nerve after hypertonic neuroretinopathy. Because of frequent complications during and after operation the authors recommend to perform cataract operations in dialysed patients in selected departments with the possibility of constant nephrological consultant services.